During the next two weeks we will celebrate the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, followed by Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday in Lent. The Scriptures take us on an introspective path as we follow Jesus into the desert.
Speck and log
St. Luke recounts (Lk 6:39-42) Jesus’ teachings on judging others. His radical call to love your enemy is followed by this question, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” There is sizable difference between a speck and a log. If we truly meditate on this verse we come to realize how easy it is to point out the tiny faults of others while simultaneously ignoring our great failings. With Jesus’ teaching we are called to look within, examine our conscience, acknowledge our failings, ask for forgiveness by the sacrament of reconciliation and allow the grace of God to aid us in removing the “log” from our eye. By experiencing God’s mercy, we are enabled to see with the eyes of mercy and, in turn, be merciful to others.
Fruit of the tree
Jesus continues, “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.” Likewise, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk 6:43-45). The heart is the center of motivation. Once we “take something to heart,” it is imbedded. Words, actions, decisions all flow from the heart where passion, enthusiasm and influence abound.
If one’s heart is filled with goodness, then goodness flows. From evil flows evil. Just as a tree is recognized by its fruit, so too will our hearts be known by words and deeds. Again, an intentional interior examination of conscience will steer one to see what fills their heart and cause a turning back towards God.
Enter the desert
Ash Wednesday is one of the most well-attended rituals in the church. God calls us to “Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God” (Jl 2:13). We sing the psalm, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 95:8).
Again the heart is the center of activity, as we embrace the invitation from God to dedicate the next 40 days for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We enter the desert time of radical love, offering our entire selves in anticipation of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. How can we empty ourselves during Lent? Let’s follow our Lord into the desert.
Temptation one (Lk 4:1-3)
Following his baptism in the Jordan, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the desert for 40 days. No food. No company. A deserted place. Many prophets of old passed through the desert in their lifetime. The desert is without distraction. The door is open for introspect, to ask the great questions of purpose, life, meaning. Bishop Robert Barron, in a Feb. 29, 2004 homily, teaches this was a time of clarification for Jesus and the means of this clarification were the temptations. He experiences temptation because he knew we experience the same. Following Jesus closely and learning from him, we gain strength in the very act of resisting and struggling with temptations. We discover who we are. The desert is a perfect place to do so.
Temptation #1: Basic needs
Jesus was vulnerable. Satan quietly enters; the one who holds an intense envy of humankind so deep that he was cast out of heaven. Just as Adam was tempted, so too is Jesus, yet with a different outcome. Bishop Barron describes the three temptations as “levels” based on distance from the floor of the desert. The first temptation was the most basic. Pointing out the stones on the ground Satan tempts Jesus to conditionally reveal himself using power to satisfy his extreme hunger, to break his fast. This taunting awakens in us the question, “Am I overfocused on the goods of this life that satisfy the body or am I offering these goods as sacrifice towards the ultimate good, who is God? Am I seeking the will of God, who satisfies all desires, or focusing on physical things, which are necessary, yet at times become addictions?” When we are tempted with physical desires Jesus reminds us, “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting” (Mt 6:17-18). Jesus fasted. We fast.
Temptation #2: Power
Bishop Barron describes the second temptation as mid-level, a higher point above the desert floor to unveil the kingdoms of the world. This is a subtle temptation for power and glory to rule all the lands and people, on the condition that Jesus worships Satan. Rulers are necessary, yet without alignment to God’s will, without due worship to God, rulers will become corrupt. What positions do I hold come with power? Does my faith guide my leadership? Am I listening to God’s voice as a servant-leader? Do I worship God? Jesus invites us to lift our hearts to God by teaching, “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret” (Mt 6:6). Jesus prayed. We pray.
Temptation #3: Glory
The highest temptation level, Bishop Barron describes, is atop the temple, which is the center of all Jewish social, political, economic and religious life. Here all can see and hold one in high reputation, personal glory and honor. This dominion results in an over-inflated ego. Am I centered on doing the will of God, offering my words and actions for his glory and not mine? Can I turn away from the lure of personal glory? Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt. 6:1). By almsgiving, we follow Jesus, who performed deeds for the good of others and the glory of God. Never for himself. We are called to the same.
Fasting, praying, almsgiving
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “By the solemn 40 days of Lent the church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert” (CCC #540). Lent is the time to create a personal desert experience by means of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, to set aside all distractions and to ask the deep questions “What is my purpose? What is fulfilling my basic needs? What do I need to let go of? How can I invite Jesus into my life more deeply?
Lord Jesus show us your way in the desert to what we may become more like you and give all glory and honor to God. Amen.
Resources for Lent may be found at diobr.org/lent.
Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.